Spirit fall to Spitfires 3-2 in overtime

SAGINAW, Michigan – On Saturday night, the Saginaw Spirit (25-19-8-0) hosted the Windsor Spitfires (24-24-2-2) for a West Division matchup at The Dow Event Center. In the first frame, Saginaw jumped out to a quick start with early goals coming from Mason Kohn and D.J. Busdeker. Windsor fought back in the second period to tie the game on the back of Mathew MacDougall’s two-goal period. A scoreless third frame predicated an overtime frame that saw MacDougall notch his third goal of the game, which marks a natural hat trick, and also secured two points for the Spitfires.

In the opening period, Saginaw looked to extend its powerplay goal-scoring streak to eight games on an early powerplay. Though the Spirit did not capitalize with the man advantage, Sagianw scored just four seconds later when Marcus Crawford’s shot hit the board behind the net and matriculated to the crease. Mason Kohn cleaned up the rebound 3:18 into the game, putting the Spirit up 1-0. The Spirit added another goal in the frame with 12:12 remaining when Max Grondin found Busdeker near the Spitfires’ blueline with several strides on the Windsor defense. Busdeker then approached the Windsor goal and painted the top right corner for Saginaw’s second goal of the game. Saginaw outshot Windsor 8-5 in the first period.

For the second period, Saginaw had a reversal of fortune as the Spitfires answered with two scoring efforts of their own. With just less than three minutes expired, several Spirit defenders pursued the puck behind the Saginaw net, leaving Windsor left wing Matthew MacDougall open for a backdoor goal. MacDougall lit the lamp once again, this time with 8:12 expired in the period, when the 2018 NHL Draft prospect received the puck near the Saginaw blue line and blew past a Spirit defender en route to burying a game-tying wrist shot. The Spitfires outshot the Spirit 10-6 in the second stanza.

During the third frame, both teams applied considerable pressure, including a Spirit 2-on-1 rush, but were unable to score. On the odd-man rush, Kyle Bollers had a scoring chance but was unable to convert, leaving the score deadlocked at 2-2. The Spitfires outshot the Spirit 9-6 in the third period.

For the overtime stanza, MacDougall tallied the game-winning goal after 3:16 as the Windsor forward forced gathered the puck outside the Spirit crease and dumped a shot passed Evan Cormier. This goal marked MacDougall’s third of the game.

Applebee’s Three Stars of the Game

Matthew MacDougall (WSR) – 3G, +3

Marcus Crawford (SAG) – 2A, +1

Cody Morgan (WSR) – A, +1

The Saginaw Spirit (25-19-8-0, 58 points, 3rd in West Division) host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (44-5-2-1) on Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 at The Dow Event Center. This game will feature two tickets, two beverages, two cookies and one heart-shaped Jets pizza all for $29.95. Call (989) 497-7747 for more information on the Valentine’s Day Date Night Deal.

Season Tickets for the 2017-18 season are on sale NOW! Reserve your seat at The Dow Event Center by calling (989) 497-7747 or visit www.saginawspirit.com for more information. YOUR Region. YOUR team. YOU’RE invited.

Stay current with the latest from your Spirit by logging on to www.saginawspirit.com. Follow the Spirit all season long on Facebook (www.facebook.com/spirithockey), Twitter (@SpiritHockey), Instagram (@saginawspirit), and Youtube (SaginawSpirit)

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